The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education’s mission is to safeguard standards and improve the quality of UK higher education wherever it is delivered around the world

We are an independent body in UK higher education, providing external review, advice, guidance and support to UK universities, colleges and other institutions, and regulatory and funding bodies across the UK to ensure the best possible student experience of higher education. At a time of rapid change in education, we are at the heart of the debate about quality, standards and enhancement, and have made extensive progress in engaging students in our governance and all aspects of our work.

We are now seeking to appoint a new independent Chair of the Board of Directors to succeed Chris Banks CBE.

As Chair, you will be responsible for strategy development and overseeing QAA’s strategic plan for 2017-2020, governance and stewardship, and leading the Board through a period of change in the regulation of UK higher education. The Chair will also have an advocacy role, working with our partners and stakeholders to shape and influence the policy agenda. The role involves close engagement with QAA’s Chief Executive and the wider team of directors, to ensure that QAA continues to uphold the highest standards, delivers high quality in all its activities and that the organisation is shaped in the best possible way across the UK and international landscape.

You will have an outstanding reputation and profile in your professional field, and will bring experience of leading at Board level, have a high level of governance skills and demonstrable independence of mind. You will demonstrate an understanding of the challenges and changes facing the higher education sector, and the ability to command the confidence of key stakeholders and influence senior decision makers.

The time commitment will be circa three days a month. The post of Chair is unremunerated. You will be required to attend meetings regularly in Gloucester and London, and from time to time in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. International travel on behalf of the Agency may, in some circumstances, be required.

To find out more, click the visit website button and for a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at GatenbySanderson: Paul Aristides on 020 7426 3987 or Emma French on 07977 225513.

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